Hammond OMV employee reportedly pocketed fees

State police have arrested an employee of the Office of Motor Vehicles in Hammond.

Louisiana State Police said Tuesday that 46-year-old Gezelle Buchanan, of Pine Grove, was arrested for felony theft and malfeasance in office and booked into the Tangipahoa Parish Prison. It was not known if she had an attorney.

While employed with the OMV, part of Buchanan's job included clearing insurance flags from customers' records. In order to do so, she was required to collect fees from customers and document those fees paid.

An audit found that during a nearly two-year period, Buchanan collected fees but did not remit the money to the OMV but kept it for herself. It was determined she kept over $15,000.